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bookloverchelle's review against another edition
5.0
This was such an absolutely fabulous book that I found gripping right from the very beginning. Zarya and ‘Kere’ have maybe an odd relationship but they’ve built a solid relationship on their feelings alone. But when their love is put to the test, neither of them comes out with their heart intact.
That was a pretty basic synopsis for a book that I thought was so good, but it’s hard to explain without too many spoilers. I loved both main characters; they fought the good fight and stood up for what they believed in. They’ve both had tragedy in their past and found a connection through each other to heal and learn to love and trust another. I reached one point in the book where absolutely everything had gone wrong and couldn’t see how Ms. Kenyon would ever be able to pull a happy ending in. I loved the buildup to the climax and conclusion, it held true to the characters without either of them having to transform their identities. An amazing read, maybe a little intimidating size wise to pick up, but worth it. Great read and I am really looking forward to the next story!
That was a pretty basic synopsis for a book that I thought was so good, but it’s hard to explain without too many spoilers. I loved both main characters; they fought the good fight and stood up for what they believed in. They’ve both had tragedy in their past and found a connection through each other to heal and learn to love and trust another. I reached one point in the book where absolutely everything had gone wrong and couldn’t see how Ms. Kenyon would ever be able to pull a happy ending in. I loved the buildup to the climax and conclusion, it held true to the characters without either of them having to transform their identities. An amazing read, maybe a little intimidating size wise to pick up, but worth it. Great read and I am really looking forward to the next story!
sn4p's review against another edition
5.0
In previous stories, we hear about Darling being "gay". I was wondering how Sherrilyn was going to work with that, and she did an amazing job on showing why everyone assumed he was gay, when he fact he was very much straight.
The story would not have worked without the supporting characters, and Sherrilyn does such an amazing job of keeping them part of the story, but without them taking over. You get to see some old favorites (Sin, for example).
Honestly, the reading of the story has me wanting to re-read the whole series. LOVE the League series, and cannot wait to read the continuations!
The story would not have worked without the supporting characters, and Sherrilyn does such an amazing job of keeping them part of the story, but without them taking over. You get to see some old favorites (Sin, for example).
Honestly, the reading of the story has me wanting to re-read the whole series. LOVE the League series, and cannot wait to read the continuations!
jazzrizz's review against another edition
5.0
Darling's book will break your heart. I really wanted to throttle Zarya at times. Another love of their lives that makes really bad decisions early on in the relationship.
I absolutely adore Maris. He goes above and beyond for Darling, time and time again. The Sentella is getting bolder in this book. To say the gloves come off in this book is a bit of an understatement.
I love how Darling's story ends. He's a great leader, and Zarya really does win you over.
I absolutely adore Maris. He goes above and beyond for Darling, time and time again. The Sentella is getting bolder in this book. To say the gloves come off in this book is a bit of an understatement.
I love how Darling's story ends. He's a great leader, and Zarya really does win you over.
jazzrizz's review against another edition
5.0
WOW! What a powerhouse book this was. Everything in this book is extreme to the nth degree. [b:Acheron|2299110|Acheron (Dark-Hunter, #14)|Sherrilyn Kenyon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1437687512l/2299110._SY75_.jpg|3202442] was a tough read from all of the crap Ash had to live through. Darling story is just as painful to read through -- but what a book.
This book definitely takes you through the ringer. While I do agree with a few reviews that Darling forgives Zarya a bit too easily, I completely understand how he gets through the betrayal to forgiveness.
Maris . . . oh my, I love that character. The relationship he has with Darling is so strong. I can hardly wait for his HEA story coming up!
The ending . . . holy cow! What a series shake up! I'm already counting down the days for Hauk's book!
This book definitely takes you through the ringer. While I do agree with a few reviews that Darling forgives Zarya a bit too easily, I completely understand how he gets through the betrayal to forgiveness.
Maris . . . oh my, I love that character. The relationship he has with Darling is so strong. I can hardly wait for his HEA story coming up!
The ending . . . holy cow! What a series shake up! I'm already counting down the days for Hauk's book!
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I was excited to get this book. I thought, "Finally! Darling's story." Little did I know that Darling's story was going to be one of the absolute toughest books I've ever read.
Sherrilyn Kenyon has a gift in writing characters and storylines that absolutely rip you to shreds before you see the light at the end of the tunnel and know there's a happily ever after. With Darling's story, it's about a man who is forced to live a lie to help protect a family he feels doesn't care one iota about him. A man who finds the one person who makes him feel like he's the man he's supposed to be only to have that person devastate him in the worst way possible. Finally, a man who must learn that what you see at face value isn't what the people who matter most use to judge you.
Darling had a very hard, very cruel life. Forced to grow up when he father was assassinated by his uncle, Darling did what he had to in order to protect his mother, brothers and sister. They all, in their own way, resented Darling for what he did or the lies he was forced to live, but only because of their impact on them...not necessarily what it meant Darling gave up for them.
Luckily for Darling, the one thing he was ever grateful to his uncle for was hiring Nykarian Quikades to protect him. The moment Nykarian discovered what was happening behind closed doors to Darling, he brought him under his wing and he joined the Sentella as a founding member. Under the identity of Kere, he became an outlaw and protector of those like his alter ego. It was while fighting the good fight with the Resistence battling his uncle's rule that Darling met the woman that would bring him the greatest pleasure and the ultimate pain of betrayal, Zarya - leader of the Resistance. He loved her and wanted to marry her, but he hoped the truth about his identity (something he hoped to reveal to her after his attempt to win his freedom from his uncle) wouldn't cause her to leave him.
I didn't think Zarya would ever be redeemed, in my eyes, after what happened to Darling. As Darling fought for his life and then begged for his death, it was Zarya laughter on the other side of a door that was his ultimate undoing. It was Zarya lack of follow up on what her people were doing with their prisoner, that caused the biggest issue for me. If maybe she had bothered to ask what they were doing she may have found the person she spent five months trying to locate and negated all the truly horrible, horrible, horrible (I can't say it enough...horrible) things that Darling had to endure. While Zarya doesn't deserve all of the blame in what happened, she does hold a lion share of it just because she never stopped to ask what was happening. That said, Zarya was the one that was able to bring Darling back from the brink. And when I say brink, I mean holding onto the edge by the nail of his pinky finger brink. Darling was a man who seemed broken beyond repair. It took the love, compassion and undeniable regret of the woman he loved with all his being to bring him back.
Darling also had a very unique relationship with his best friend, Maris. Forced to live the lie of being gay, it was Maris who helped Darling pull off the charade. Maris was the only person who knew Darling Cruel for his true self and would go to any lengths to ensure Darling was happy. While Darling loved Maris as a brother-in-arms, Maris was in love with Darling. Darling knew of Maris' feelings, but never exploited them. He was the one person he trusted and would protect. So it wasn't a surprise to find that while Darling skirted on the edges of sanity, it was Maris who could still connect with Darling and Maris who knew that it would be Zarya to save him. I loved Maris for knowing exactly what to do to save that man that he loved, even if what would save Darling wasn't him. It was a truly selfless act.
This was, by no means, an easy book to read. The storyline had dealt with prejudices and abuse that would have pushed a less stronger person over the edge well before it did Darling. The prejudices by the people that Darling has sworn to protect are probably the worst. Not only do the subjects of his governorship resent him and believe the lies spread about him, so do his family. The name calling and disregard for privacy are very, very hard to take at times. The abuse Darling suffered was just as gut wrenching. It truly demonstrated the strength of Darling's character that he was able to survive and become the born leader he was at the end.
An absolutely fabulous read. It won't be easy to get through, but the journey Sherrilyn Kenyon takes us on it well worth it. As with all the other Sentella members, Darling has to scrap bottom before he can get his happily ever after. His bottom was truly horrible, but in the end, it made his happily ever after well worth it.
Sherrilyn Kenyon has a gift in writing characters and storylines that absolutely rip you to shreds before you see the light at the end of the tunnel and know there's a happily ever after. With Darling's story, it's about a man who is forced to live a lie to help protect a family he feels doesn't care one iota about him. A man who finds the one person who makes him feel like he's the man he's supposed to be only to have that person devastate him in the worst way possible. Finally, a man who must learn that what you see at face value isn't what the people who matter most use to judge you.
Darling had a very hard, very cruel life. Forced to grow up when he father was assassinated by his uncle, Darling did what he had to in order to protect his mother, brothers and sister. They all, in their own way, resented Darling for what he did or the lies he was forced to live, but only because of their impact on them...not necessarily what it meant Darling gave up for them.
Luckily for Darling, the one thing he was ever grateful to his uncle for was hiring Nykarian Quikades to protect him. The moment Nykarian discovered what was happening behind closed doors to Darling, he brought him under his wing and he joined the Sentella as a founding member. Under the identity of Kere, he became an outlaw and protector of those like his alter ego. It was while fighting the good fight with the Resistence battling his uncle's rule that Darling met the woman that would bring him the greatest pleasure and the ultimate pain of betrayal, Zarya - leader of the Resistance. He loved her and wanted to marry her, but he hoped the truth about his identity (something he hoped to reveal to her after his attempt to win his freedom from his uncle) wouldn't cause her to leave him.
I didn't think Zarya would ever be redeemed, in my eyes, after what happened to Darling. As Darling fought for his life and then begged for his death, it was Zarya laughter on the other side of a door that was his ultimate undoing. It was Zarya lack of follow up on what her people were doing with their prisoner, that caused the biggest issue for me. If maybe she had bothered to ask what they were doing she may have found the person she spent five months trying to locate and negated all the truly horrible, horrible, horrible (I can't say it enough...horrible) things that Darling had to endure. While Zarya doesn't deserve all of the blame in what happened, she does hold a lion share of it just because she never stopped to ask what was happening. That said, Zarya was the one that was able to bring Darling back from the brink. And when I say brink, I mean holding onto the edge by the nail of his pinky finger brink. Darling was a man who seemed broken beyond repair. It took the love, compassion and undeniable regret of the woman he loved with all his being to bring him back.
Darling also had a very unique relationship with his best friend, Maris. Forced to live the lie of being gay, it was Maris who helped Darling pull off the charade. Maris was the only person who knew Darling Cruel for his true self and would go to any lengths to ensure Darling was happy. While Darling loved Maris as a brother-in-arms, Maris was in love with Darling. Darling knew of Maris' feelings, but never exploited them. He was the one person he trusted and would protect. So it wasn't a surprise to find that while Darling skirted on the edges of sanity, it was Maris who could still connect with Darling and Maris who knew that it would be Zarya to save him. I loved Maris for knowing exactly what to do to save that man that he loved, even if what would save Darling wasn't him. It was a truly selfless act.
This was, by no means, an easy book to read. The storyline had dealt with prejudices and abuse that would have pushed a less stronger person over the edge well before it did Darling. The prejudices by the people that Darling has sworn to protect are probably the worst. Not only do the subjects of his governorship resent him and believe the lies spread about him, so do his family. The name calling and disregard for privacy are very, very hard to take at times. The abuse Darling suffered was just as gut wrenching. It truly demonstrated the strength of Darling's character that he was able to survive and become the born leader he was at the end.
An absolutely fabulous read. It won't be easy to get through, but the journey Sherrilyn Kenyon takes us on it well worth it. As with all the other Sentella members, Darling has to scrap bottom before he can get his happily ever after. His bottom was truly horrible, but in the end, it made his happily ever after well worth it.
kyrstenp's review against another edition
5.0
Started this book at 5pm May 10th Ended it May 11th at 3:25 am.... only put the book down like four times and twice was because of the emotional pull that Kenyon drags you through. It's hard to make me cry reading a book and this one did it twice! I love Kenyon as an author and would recomend the leauge novels to anyone into sci fi!
avid_reader_sf_and_f's review against another edition
Couldn't finish it. This is just too much like "torture porn."
Kenyon has been doing this to her characters since Asheron's book and I stopped reading her for a while after that one, although I loved the book, it was a hard, hard read. But I think this one may truly be my last.
Kenyon has been doing this to her characters since Asheron's book and I stopped reading her for a while after that one, although I loved the book, it was a hard, hard read. But I think this one may truly be my last.
planningwithgrammy's review against another edition
4.0
this paragraph is written buy a speech-to-text method so no punctuation
oh my gosh this book despite its huge thickness only took me 2 days to read it was very intense very typical for this author lots of action but the big theme and it really was forgiveness and we're talking forgiveness of things that most people would never even attempt to forgive it was a common theme that just went around and around and around it just continued and right when you thought it would never happen it did happen sometimes I disagreed with the author the first time someone was confronted by their wrongness the person kind of did not care for the victim and that drove me a bit nuts but luckily only happened for like a few pages or so and eventually in the book it happens but the female character I was a bit surprised at how strong she made her and that she was not more remorseful but that aside this was a very interesting love story I do wish that the best friends in this were not such a little side know at the end that was a potential story that could have been awesome I think J R Ward had done a better job of it when she encounters a homosexual relationship she actually used it instead of having them as a little Side Story I'm kind of getting sick of that it's about time people accept that and oh my the horrible horrible Miss Tor words homosexuals in this is just horrible lots of sexual abuse and lots of judgemental people but in the end it's about them dealing with it and how to be above it so in a way that part was great but boys little tortures of times reading that
oh my gosh this book despite its huge thickness only took me 2 days to read it was very intense very typical for this author lots of action but the big theme and it really was forgiveness and we're talking forgiveness of things that most people would never even attempt to forgive it was a common theme that just went around and around and around it just continued and right when you thought it would never happen it did happen sometimes I disagreed with the author the first time someone was confronted by their wrongness the person kind of did not care for the victim and that drove me a bit nuts but luckily only happened for like a few pages or so and eventually in the book it happens but the female character I was a bit surprised at how strong she made her and that she was not more remorseful but that aside this was a very interesting love story I do wish that the best friends in this were not such a little side know at the end that was a potential story that could have been awesome I think J R Ward had done a better job of it when she encounters a homosexual relationship she actually used it instead of having them as a little Side Story I'm kind of getting sick of that it's about time people accept that and oh my the horrible horrible Miss Tor words homosexuals in this is just horrible lots of sexual abuse and lots of judgemental people but in the end it's about them dealing with it and how to be above it so in a way that part was great but boys little tortures of times reading that
marianbooks613's review against another edition
4.0
Que puedo decir de este libro, no me decepciono, supero todo lo que tenia previsto, ahora espero con ansias la historia de Hauk jhsdgyfurtg